Sofa and chair covers

ABSTRACT

A cover is provided for covering upholstered furniture having a base section forming a substantially horizontal seat cushion support, a cushion supported by the cushion support, and a back extending from the base section adjacent to an edge of the cushion support. The cover includes a first panel configured to cover at least a part of a top surface of the cushion of the upholstered furniture; and a second panel connected to the first panel and configured to cover at least a part of the back of the upholstered furniture; wherein the second panel is further configured to extend up and over the back of the upholstered furniture and includes a first section configured to be positioned adjacent to a forward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture and a second section having one or more pockets and configured to be positioned adjacent to a rearward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/671,457 filed Jul. 13, 2012, which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to covers for upholstered furniture as well as upholstered furniture in combination with such covers.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

Slipcovers are widely used to cover sofas, couches, and chairs when the original upholstery shows signs of wear or when a different or new look is desired for the furniture. Since upholstered furniture is constructed in different sizes and configurations, a wide variety of unfitted, semi-fitted and fully fitted fabric furniture covers are available. Although unfitted covers are inexpensive and can be used for many types and sizes of furniture, it is difficult to make them look neat and hold their position on the furniture. Prior attempts to handle this problem have involved providing covers that are pulled tight by a drawstring or an elastic band.

Conventional covers for sofas, couches, and chairs tend to shift during use. This makes it difficult to achieve a smooth finish, and to maintain the desired look after the furniture has been used.

Thus a need exists for a cover which can be applied to a variety of furniture and maintains its proper position and appearance on the item of furniture throughout use of the furniture and compression of the seat cushions thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An aspect of the present invention is to provide a cover for covering upholstered furniture having a base section forming a substantially horizontal seat cushion support, a cushion supported by the cushion support, and a back extending from the base section adjacent to an edge of the cushion support. The cover includes a first panel configured to cover at least a part of a top surface of the cushion of the upholstered furniture; and a second panel connected to the first panel and configured to cover at least a part of the back of the upholstered furniture; wherein the second panel is further configured to extend up and over the back of the upholstered furniture and includes a first section configured to be positioned adjacent to a forward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture and a second section having one or more pockets and configured to be positioned adjacent to a rearward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture.

Another aspect of the present invention is to provide an upholstered furniture assembly including: an upholstered furniture piece having a base section forming a substantially horizontal seat cushion support, a cushion configured to be supported by the cushion support, and a back extending from the base section adjacent to an edge of the cushion support; and a cover including a first panel configured to cover at least a part of a top surface of the cushion, and a second panel connected to the first panel, wherein the second panel is configured to extend up and over the back of the upholstered furniture piece and includes a first section configured to be positioned adjacent to a forward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture piece and a second section having one or more pockets and configured to be positioned adjacent to a rearward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture piece.

These and other aspects of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a sofa that can be covered with a cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sofa cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an arm cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sofa cover and arm covers in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a sofa 10 that can be covered with a cover in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The sofa 10 includes a base section 11 and cushion section 12 which contains one or more seat cushions. The base section 11 supports a back 14 and a pair of arms 16 at opposite ends of the sofa. A substantially horizontal cushion support surface 18 is positioned between the arms. The cushion section 12 rests on this support surface. The cushion section 12 can include one or more cushions that are removable from the base section 11.

FIG. 2 illustrates a sofa cover 20 in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The sofa cover 20 includes a plurality of panels 22, 24, and 26 joined along an intersection line 28. A first panel 22 (also called a cushion panel) is configured to be positioned on a top of the cushion of the sofa.

A second panel 24 (also called a back panel) is configured to extend up and over a back of the sofa. The back panel includes a first section 30, which can be substantially flat, and a second section 32 that includes one or more pockets 34. The first section 30 is configured to be positioned adjacent to a forward facing surface of a back of the sofa, and the second section 32 configured to be positioned adjacent to a rearward facing surface of the back of the sofa. In the embodiment of FIG. 2, the pockets are positioned in a row along the width of the second section of the back panel of the sofa cover. Each of the pockets includes an open end 36 and a closed end 38. The back panel has sufficient height that the second section of the back portion extends over the top of the back 14 of the sofa and is positioned adjacent to a rearward facing surface of the back 14 of the sofa, while the first section 30 of the back panel is positioned adjacent to a forward facing surface of the back 14 of the sofa. The panels can include a self binding 40 adjacent to edges of the panels.

Objects such as magazines or any other type of weight can be inserted into the pockets. The weight of the objects in the pockets 34 results in a force that counterbalances the tendency of the cover 20 to be pulled down into the seat when people sit on the sofa. Thus the back portion of the cover remains taut and conforms to the surface of the back of the sofa.

A third panel 26 is a flap that is configured to be positioned under the seat cushion of the sofa in order to further hold the cover 20 in place at the point where the cushion meets the back of the sofa. The third panel can extend between the cushion and the cushion support surface of the sofa.

FIG. 3 illustrates an arm cover 42 that can be used in combination with the cover 20 of FIG. 2. The arm cover includes a panel 44 that can be shaped to conform to an arm of the sofa. The arm cover can further include a self binding 46 adjacent to edges of the arm cover.

FIG. 4 illustrates a sofa cover 50 and arm covers 52, 54 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The sofa cover 50 includes first and second panels 56 and 58 joined along an intersection line 60. A first panel 56 (also called a cushion panel) is configured to be positioned on a top of the cushion of the sofa. In this embodiment, the first panel has sufficient width such that a portion 62 of the first panel overlaps a front edge of the sofa cushion.

The second panel 58 (also called a back panel) is configured to extend up and over a back of the sofa. The back panel includes a first section 64, which can be substantially flat, and a second section 66 that includes one or more pockets 68. The first section 64 is configured to be positioned adjacent to a forward facing surface of a back of the sofa, and the second section 66 configured to be positioned adjacent to a rearward facing surface of the back of the sofa. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the pockets are positioned in a row along the width of the second section of the back panel of the sofa cover. Each of the pockets includes an open end 70 and a closed end 72. The panels can include a self binding 74 adjacent to edges of the panels.

When positioned on a sofa, the first section of the back panel is positioned adjacent to forward facing surface of the back of the sofa. The back portion of the cover then extends up and over the back of the sofa, such that the second section of the cover is positioned adjacent to a rearward facing surface of the back of the sofa, with the open ends of the pockets facing upward. Objects such as magazines or any other type of weight can be placed in the pockets. The weight of the objects in the pockets 68 results in a force that counterbalances the tendency of the cover 50 to be pulled down into the seat when people sit on the sofa. Thus the back portion of the cover remains taut and conforms to the surface of the back of the sofa.

The arm covers may be removably attached to the arms of the sofa, and they may be easily pulled off. The sofa cover and arm covers may be made from any suitable type of known material.

In various aspects, the invention includes a cover that can be applied to a sofa, chair, or other upholstered furniture, and the combination of the cover and a sofa, chair, or other upholstered furniture. For example, the sofa of FIG. 1 can be used in combination with the covers of FIG. 2 or 4.

Whereas particular embodiments of this invention have been described above for purposes of illustration, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that numerous variations of the details of the present invention may be made without departing from the invention as defined in the appended claims. For example, while the invention has been described in terms of cover as used in combination with a sofa, the cover can also be applied to chairs or other furniture having a back and a seat cushion. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A cover for covering upholstered furniture having a base section forming a substantially horizontal seat cushion support, a cushion supported by the cushion support, and a back extending from the base section adjacent to an edge of the cushion support, the cover comprising: a first panel configured to cover at least a part of a top surface of the cushion of the upholstered furniture; and a second panel connected to the first panel and configured to cover at least a part of the back of the upholstered furniture; wherein the second panel is further configured to extend up and over the back of the upholstered furniture and includes a first section configured to be positioned adjacent to a forward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture and a second section having one or more pockets and configured to be positioned adjacent to a rearward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture.
 2. The cover of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels are connected to each other along a straight line.
 3. The cover of claim 1, further comprising: a third panel connected to the first panel and configured to be positioned under at least a portion of the cushion.
 4. The cover of claim 3, wherein the first, second and third panels are connected to each other along a straight line.
 5. The cover of claim 1, wherein the pockets are positioned in a row along the second section.
 6. The cover of claim 1, wherein the panels include a self binding adjacent to edges of the panels.
 7. An upholstered furniture assembly comprising: an upholstered furniture piece having a base section forming a substantially horizontal seat cushion support, a cushion configured to be supported by the cushion support, and a back extending from the base section adjacent to an edge of the cushion support; and a cover including a first panel configured to cover at least a part of a top surface of the cushion, and a second panel connected to the first panel, wherein the second panel is configured to extend up and over the back of the upholstered furniture piece and includes a first section configured to be positioned adjacent to a forward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture piece and a second section having one or more pockets and configured to be positioned adjacent to a rearward facing surface of the back of the upholstered furniture piece.
 8. The upholstered furniture assembly of claim 7, wherein the first and second panels are connected to each other along a straight line.
 9. The upholstered furniture assembly of claim 7, further comprising: a third panel connected to the first panel and configured to be positioned under at least a portion of the cushion.
 10. The upholstered furniture assembly of claim 9, wherein the first, second and third panels are connected to each other along a straight line.
 11. The upholstered furniture assembly of claim 7, wherein the pockets are positioned in a row along the second section.
 12. The upholstered furniture assembly of claim 7, wherein the panels include a self binding adjacent to edges of the panels. 